Record college sports reporter Laura Amato takes you off the sidelines and on the record with the latest updates from area teams in the 518.

Saturday, August 2, 2014

ValleyCats' Derek Fisher injury update

Derek Fisher, a first-round pick in this year's MLB Draft, is still sidelined after taking quite a hit on Thursday night. The ValleyCats outfielder, who had one of the most statistically prolific July's in the New York-Penn League, ran directly into the pole on the bullpen door while going after a fly ball in the eventual 11-inning loss to the Mahoning Valley Scrappers. He did not play on Friday night in Tri-City's 7-4 victory.

J.S.Carras/The Record Tri-City ValleyCats Derek Fisher plays catch in outfield before start of Lowell Spinner game in New York Penn League baseball game.

"All I know is that he hit the side of his head on the pole," 'Cats manager Ed Romero said. "He's probably going to be out a few days. I don't know how long."Romero said that Fisher would have to be reevaluated by the team's training staff in the next few days and the team would proceed from there. Fisher's injury comes on the heels of a small wave of ValleyCats changes - including the promotion of A.J. Reed and Ryan Bottger to Quad Cities as well as the injury (and return) of catcher Jamie Ritchie, who missed nearly a week of games with a thumb injury. The changes have forced some switches in the Tri-City lineup and, perhaps most importantly, limited the number of substitutions available to the team during any given game. On Friday night, there were only two subs available with no extra outfielders suited up in the dugout. While the team is certainly being cautious with Fisher's injury (there's still be no word on an official concussion or anything of the like) there can be no doubt that the 'Cats are anxious to get the Astro's No. 13 prospect's speed and bat back in the lineup as quickly as possible. As of August 1st, Fisher had hit safely in 21 of the 23 games he's played in this summer and is currently batting .352 with a .420 slugging percentage, has 26 runs scored. That last number is tied for best on the team with leadoff hitter Bobby Boyd. In addition to his presence in the box, Fisher has also successfully stolen 13 bases in his 14 attempts.